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Block Heater Difficult to Unplug

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Kremtok, Mar 4, 2017.

  1. Mar 4, 2017 at 12:27 PM
    #1
    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My Tacoma came with a block heater and I've been using it frequently lately. When it was new there were no issues, but after a month or so of using it every day it's become incredibly difficult to unplug from the extension cord.

    Any advice on diagnosis and repair?
     
    Kremtok, Mar 4, 2017
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  2. Mar 4, 2017 at 1:02 PM
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    over60

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    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    Maybe try putting some "dilectric" (sp?) grease on the contact points, to make things a little more "slippy"..
     
    over60, Mar 4, 2017
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    musher and Kremtok[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  3. Mar 4, 2017 at 1:12 PM
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    Joe23

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    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    this
    mine had a bunch of grease on it when I got it, yet to have any difficulty with it.
     
    Joe23, Mar 4, 2017
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  4. Mar 4, 2017 at 2:48 PM
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    J.M Taco

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    J.M Taco Well-Known Member

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    J.M Taco, Mar 4, 2017
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    Kremtok[OP] likes this.
  5. Mar 4, 2017 at 3:32 PM
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    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ordered some dielectric grease. Thanks guys!

    Edit: I'm just a little paranoid considering what happened to my last car...how do I use it properly?
     
    Kremtok, Mar 4, 2017
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  6. Mar 4, 2017 at 3:55 PM
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    Joe23

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    put it on a timer I guess

    Depends how cold it is where you live.
    I have mine set to turn on 35min before I leave for work in the morning. makes it where when I start it the coolant temp is around 25C
    When I plug in my jetta its set on a 1hour timer though. But that one has an oil heater not coolant, and its diesel and needs a lot more help in the cold lol.

    When I plug in its like -20C overnight if not colder.
    I'm starting to consider plugging in a bit longer too. Maybe 45min.


    One thing i will say I was happy as fucking hell that I didn't lose the cord haha. I must have still been half asleep when leaving one morning and unplugged from the extension cord but didn't unplug from the truck. Drove all the way to work, about 30km and after I parked noticed the cord still hanging from my bumper.


    According to the manual it says 30min but no mention of temperature. If its really cold could definitely go more.
     
    Joe23, Mar 4, 2017
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  7. Mar 4, 2017 at 5:55 PM
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    over60

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    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    You was lucky you did not run over the cord...EH..!!
     
    over60, Mar 4, 2017
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  8. Mar 6, 2017 at 7:45 AM
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    canuck guy

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    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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    Why unplug heater cord from extension cord?
    Why not just unplug heater cord at the truck?
     
    canuck guy, Mar 6, 2017
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  9. Mar 6, 2017 at 8:14 AM
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    Herniator

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    Herniator Well-Known Member

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    Are the prongs on the cord straight? Or have they been bent a bit?
    Also is there ice in the female end from having it outside?
     
    Herniator, Mar 6, 2017
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  10. Mar 6, 2017 at 9:40 PM
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    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure we're on the same page...the block heater cord is hanging out from the front of my grille and that's where I plug it into the extension cord. It's this connection that's giving me issues.

    No, none that I can see. It looks just fine, not bent or discolored and no ice or debris present. I keep the male end of the plug in a protective cover that's also attached to the grille when I'm not using it.
     
    Kremtok, Mar 6, 2017
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  11. Mar 7, 2017 at 8:40 AM
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    canuck guy

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    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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    canuck guy, Mar 7, 2017
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  12. Mar 7, 2017 at 3:53 PM
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    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, yours is different. Nicer, too. This is mine:

    EE78BD8B-8ABE-4B1D-9AE9-4647244BDD02.jpg
     
    Kremtok, Mar 7, 2017
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  13. Mar 7, 2017 at 4:41 PM
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    Joe23

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    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    so they clearly didn't do an OEM one for yours.
    are you using a cheap cord or good one? Could just be the cord.
     
    Joe23, Mar 7, 2017
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  14. Mar 7, 2017 at 9:39 PM
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    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    His block heater is the OEM Canada part. It's different for the US. Not sure why, but this came up after my last car, ahem, caught on fire due to the block heater.

    I can't find any mention of the block heater in the owner's manual. Can anyone help there?

    EDIT: Oh, and I'm using this extension cord:
    $59 Prime Wire and Cable LT511830 50-Foot 12/3 SJTOW Bulldog Tough Extension Cord with PrimeLight Indicator Light,Yellow
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065UZDG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2017
    Kremtok, Mar 7, 2017
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  15. Mar 7, 2017 at 10:01 PM
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    Herniator

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    Herniator Well-Known Member

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    The Block heater is dealer installed. I don't know why the US doesn't get the same block heater but I like mine. It's a cleaner install, the cord doesn't flap in the wind scratching the vehicle and if you forget to unplug it. It doesn't rip the cord out.
     
    Herniator, Mar 7, 2017
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  16. Mar 7, 2017 at 10:03 PM
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    Kremtok

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    Kremtok [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I also like yours better. Too bad they don't give us the same one you have because you're right - it's better in every way.
     
    Kremtok, Mar 7, 2017
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  17. Mar 7, 2017 at 10:05 PM
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    Herniator

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    Herniator Well-Known Member

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    I just assumed that they had the same one in both countries.
     
    Herniator, Mar 7, 2017
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  18. Mar 8, 2017 at 2:49 AM
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    Joe23

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    Joe23 Canuckistikian

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    I have the same one since I'm in Canada. I would've thought they used the same one. Or the dealer just installed an aftermarket part?
    Could be using aftermarket though not OEM.
    I would figure they do. I swear there's been other members from the US with what we have to here North of the wall.
     
    Joe23, Mar 8, 2017
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  19. Mar 8, 2017 at 3:31 AM
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    Cazzwell

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    Cazzwell The Circuit Rider Signman

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    Stock.
    From my experience with cords that get un/plugged on a regular basis is to find a cheap extender (like 12in) and keep it connected to the more expensive device (in this case the truck). That way when that connector goes bad, you can replace it instead of having to do a major fix.
     
    Cazzwell, Mar 8, 2017
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  20. Mar 8, 2017 at 7:03 AM
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    canuck guy

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    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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    I'd rather have the "American" one any day. The sissy Canadian style one is pretty easy to snap off when minus 30 with gloves on or when you forget to unplug it. I know cause I did it. Such a silly thing to have on a truck. P.S. It's pretty easy to change the ends on an extension cord with hardware store parts and only cost a few bucks.
     
    canuck guy, Mar 8, 2017
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